The Need for Speed series, one of publisher EA's best-selling franchises, has been around since the '90s and is usually a blast to play, despite lacking some realistic driving in some sections. While the series hit a bit of a rough patch following the release of Need for Speed: Payback, things seem to be improving again when Need for Speed: Heat.
The game has a car catalog that is worthy of some of the best games in the series. There are also a good amount of cars so it can be hard to identify which is the best. This list will help you identify some of the better cars in the game that will help you speed through the challenges the game has to offer you.
Updated on July 20, 2022, by Rebecca Timberlake:When selecting your car in Need for Speed: Heat, you'll have multiple stats to consider from how fast the car is to how it's designed to handle on different tracks and terrains. Another factor in determining is your personal preference when it comes to cars and driving styles.
No matter what influences your favorite car to hit the track with, all the NFS Heat best cars come with speed, style, and impressive designs. To reflect that, we've added five more iconic machines from five of the world's greatest automobile manufactureres that are sure to vie for the title of best car in NFS Heat.
20 Ferrari LaFerrari '13
A Ferrari is sure to be one of the top cars that come to mind when thinking about speed and flashy racing, and the LaFerrari '13 is the best of the best in NFS: Heat. It can go zero to 60 mph in 2.5 seconds and tops out at 217 mph total.
The mid-engine is a seven-speed automatic transmission, making it easier to navigate as it shifts gears on the road. With an overwhelming 788 horsepower, this Ferrari is an enviable car that will set you back $1,104,500, so you'll need to save to add this to your garage.
19 Audi R8 V10 Performance Coupe '19
As the name suggests, the Audi R8 V10 is all about performance. It can go zero to 60 mph in just over three seconds, and will hit 205 MPH at top speed. Another seven-speed automatic transmission, this Audi offers about ten over the typical Audi horsepower with 612 BPH.
It features an AWD mid-engine that allows for controllable power while racing. You'll be able to buy this car for $181,000 to add to your garage, and speed out onto the track in no time.
18 Honda Civic Type R '00
The Honda Civic Type R was only on the market in Japan between 1997 and 2000 in reality, but its limited lifespan isn't indicative of its quality. Featuring a front engine with FWD, the Honda will be slightly tougher to handle but easier to use as a dragster. A five-speed manual transmission also makes it a car for a more skilled racer.
Despite potential setbacks, it has 182 horsepower, and can be customized to your liking. To add this Civic to your garage you'll only need to spend $42,500. It's a no-brainer.
17 Porsche 911 Carrera GTS '18
Porsches tend to be known for their sleek sportscar qualities, and the 911 Carrera is no different. It goes zero to 60 mph in just shy of four seconds and will hit a top speed of 193 mph. It offers a smooth-running, seven-speed automatic engine with 444 horsepower.
The price tag is set at $127,500, which is fair for the quality and design of a Porsche. You'll be able to get this for your collection after just a few races.
16 Nissan Skyline 2000 GT-R -71
Nissan has been a part of race culture for quite some time, especially thanks to the influence of the Fast series of movies. This particular Nissan Skyline from 1971 is slower to get going, taking nearly eight seconds to go from zero to 60 mph, and will only hit a max of 124 mph. Still, the five-speed manual transmission, much like the Honda Civic, lends itself to being a drag car on a racetrack.
Common for its make, model, and era of automobiles, this Nissan has 158 horsepower and will set you back $27,000 to add to your garage.
15 Ford F-150 Raptor '17
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Ford has a lot of cars in the game, but one that surprisingly provides a good amount of versatility is actually the F-150 Raptor. While it may not have the best speed, the truck has a great power rank at 2.7 without modifications. It is also a good car for holding cops in high-speed pursuits.
There are two versions of this vehicle in the game. The default version, which can be purchased for $54,000 once you reach rep. level 20, and the legends edition, which can be unlocked once you complete all the off-road story missions.
14 Subaru Impreza WRX STI '10
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For a good and reliable rally car, look no further than the 2010 edition of the Subaru Impreza. Though not as sleek-looking as its 2006 counterpart, it does have better base stats, which can let you customize its performance better, and is cheaper.
The car is the one Lucas provides for you in the first off-road race in the game which gives you a good idea as to the car's capabilities. It is available to purchase at rep. level 24 for $50,500. Not a bad deal all things considered.
13 Porsche Panamera Turbo '17
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If you're looking for a car that is balanced and can excel at whatever you assign it to, the Porsche Panamera Turbo is the car for you. It is a car that can dot across the game's locations on or off the road extremely well, depending on what type of thing you want the car to focus on.
The car is a bit pricey with it costing $137,500 to buy but only has a rep level requirement of 18 to buy. It is a good car to buy if you are stuck on a particular story mission.
12 Mazda RX-7
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A car that has been featured in multiple Need for Speed games, the RX-7 returns for Heat and is arguably the best pure drift car in the game. It is the car you learn how to drift in after all and is great for any number of the game's drift events and sections in free roam.
The car is also one of the easiest to purchase as well. It only costs $59,500 to purchase along with a rep. level requirement of only four. Though drifting is its biggest strength, it is a great car for other areas as well making it a great car to use in the earlier parts of the game.
11 Polestar 1 '20
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Need for Speed: Heat's cover car shows why it deserved to be on it with it being a solid car in Need for Speed: Heat. It is a fast car with a default performance level of 247, has great power and acceleration with a 5.0 and 4.6 respectively, and can be purchased upon reaching level 22.
What makes the Polestar 1 one of the best cars in Need for Speed: Heat is the Hero edition which is the car on the cover and the one driven by Joe in the game's prologue. You have to complete the main story and any side missions, alongside a $1,461,925 price tag, but is definitely worth the purchase with its speed and flexibility.
10 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 (2014)
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A car that is an icon in the American automotive industry, this version of the Camaro offers great acceleration at 3.6 in stock along with a power rating of 2.8 in stock, as well. The car itself can be purchased from the car dealer for $93,000 and a rep. level of 18 is the requirement.
A car that is both fast for races and can take a beating from some pesky cops. It is easy to see why Danny Shaw, a cop and one of the game's antagonists, uses it as his car of choice.
9 BMW X6 M '16
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The X6 M is perhaps the best off-road vehicle in the entire game and is a must to own for those looking to dominate in off-road races. It has a stock acceleration of 3.4 which is high for its class along with a stock performance rating of 188. A great starting point, given that off-road parts don't increase your performance rating as much as on-road parts.
This beast can be unlocked by reaching rep. level 16 and having $107,500 to purchase this German SUV.
8 BMW M3 '06
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Arguably the most recognizable car in the entire series, the 2006 edition of the M3 comes in both a regular stock version and the gtr that is a recreation of the version of the car first seen in the original Most Wanted. The car has some decent speed and acceleration which can then be tuned into an absolute monster on the road.
The stock version of the car has a rep. level requirement of 7 with a $70,000 price tag. The gtr version is given as a reward for completing the game's main story.
7 Aston Martin Vulcan
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The Vulcan, named after the Roman god of fire, is easily one of the absolute fastest cars in the game even at stock. This anomaly from the Aston Martin brand has a stock acceleration of 6.4 and has more power than it looks with a stock power of 5.1.
This car takes a bit of grinding to unlock as you need to be at least level 40 to buy along with having at least $1,467,000 on hand to buy it.
6 SRT Viper GTS
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The successor to the Dodge Viper, this car is easily the best muscle car in the game. It has a high acceleration stat of 5.1 at stock with a starting performance rating of 283. Plus it is also a great car for drifting which can be used to provide the perfect balance of both speed and drift.
The car is available to purchase upon reaching level 28 with a price tag of $121,500. A price that is easy to get to by the time you reach that level.
5 Corvette ZR 1 '19
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Arguably the best muscle car in the game, the ZR1 is as good as it gets to American muscle cars and with its stats, it's easy to see why.
The ZR1 in Need for Speed: Heat has a default performance rating of 315, 5.7 power rating, 4.2 in high speed and 5.8 in acceleration.
This makes it a great car for helping you increase your rep. level during later parts of the game as with upgrades it can keep up with some of the higher performance ranked races. Overall a great car to begin the end game content as it only costs $142,500 with a level requirement of 32.
4 Ford GT
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One of the few American exotic cars, the Ford GT in Need for Speed: Heat is a great way to introduce yourself to the end-game's high-performance cars without getting too overwhelmed with its power. It has some good stats too with a default acceleration of 6.1 that will help you reach over 200 mph quickly.
Though it may not stand up as to others of its class, it is a reliable car to help outrun the cops and with the grinding process of reaching the set levels of better-rated cars.
3 Ferrari FXX-K Evo '18
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Probably one of the hardest cars to unlock in the game, this Italian beast can only be unlocked by being a part of a level 50 online crew. It also has an expensive price tag of $2,177,500 but boy is it worth it.
The car has a default performance of 363 along with a stock acceleration of 8.4 and a stock power rating of 6.9. This car is the vehicular embodiment of the horse featured on the Ferrari logo.
2 McLaren P1 GTR
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If you're more of a solo racer, then a good alternative to the FXX-K Evo is the McLaren P1 GTR which is arguably the better car. The British beast has the same default rating of 363 but has a higher stock acceleration rating of 8.6 with higher stats in power and high speed as well.
It also costs slightly less as well but still costs a whopping $2,120,500 with a rank acquirement of 40. Once you do get it though, it is the perfect car to help grind your way to level 50 and have a good chance against the competition along the way.
1 Koenigsegg Regera
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As great as the FXX-K Evo is, it is ultimately outclassed by one car. That car being the Swedish monster that is the Koenigsegg Regera. With a stock acceleration of 400+, the highest in the game, and a 10 rating in both power and high speed, this car is the fastest in the game.
It comes with a cost of $1,227,500 and the trouble of reaching the game's highest level of 50. But reaching that level and having the cash to purchase the car also means you will be able to definitely fulfil the need for speed.
Next: The Best Cars In Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit, Ranked
